THE DOCTRINE OF ANSWERED PRAYER
Prayer is the expression of man’s thoughts to God the Father. The Bible is the expression of God’s thoughts to mankind; therefore, believers can have two-way communication with God.
Principles
Prayer is for Christian believers only. Christians can address God as Father only as a member of the family of God, John 1:12; Gal. 3:26
Prayer should be directed to God the Father. Eph. 5:20; Matt. 6:9; 1 Peter 1:17
Prayer should be made in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the believer’s authority to petition God. John 14:13: 15:16
The power for prayer is through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 6:18
Prayer is never made to the Holy Spirit.
Five Elements of Prayer
Confession. The first part of private prayer is the confession of personal sins. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me,” Psalm 66:18.
Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is an appreciation to God the Father for His blessing and provision, Eph. 5:20.
Praise. Praise expresses glory to God for who and what He is, Gal 1:5.
Intercession. Intercession is prayer for others, Eph 6:18.
Petition. A petition is prayer for one’s own needs, He 4:16.
Reasons Some Prayers Are Not Answered
Carnality. God does not answer some prayers because a person is out of fellowship with Him. Confession puts the believer back into fellowship with God, 1 Jn 1:9.
Lack of faith: Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:24; Rom. 14:23; James 1:5-7
Selfishness: James 4:2,3
Lack of compassion: Prov. 21:13
Lack of harmony in marriage: 1 Peter 3:7
Pride and self-righteousness: Job 35:12,13
Lack of filling of the Holy Spirit: Eph. 6:18
Disobedience: 1 John 3:22; Eph. 5:18; Deut. 1:43-45; 1 Sam. 14:37; 1 John 5:14
The Four Ways God Answers Prayer
The Lord often answers prayer by granting the unstated inner desire without directly granting the petition. Sometimes we get everything we ask for, but sometimes nothing.
God grants the petition or intercession
God does not grant the petition or intercession, “And he gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15.
God grants the desire but not the petition.
God grants both the petition and desire.
